JP4666035B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus.

  In the image reading apparatus, when image data generated by reading a document is stored in a memory, an index corresponding to the image data stored in the memory is used so that the existence of image data generated in the past can be confirmed later. It is conceivable to display an image on a display. Furthermore, when a touch panel is juxtaposed to such a display and an index image on the display is designated by a user or the like by the user, image data corresponding to the index image is called, for example, by displaying a preview image, It is also conceivable that the user can browse the contents of the image data.

For example, the display device disclosed in Patent Document 1 causes the user to specify the image data displayed on the display via the touch panel, and when the user traces the touch panel in the direction in which the image data is desired to move, Are configured to execute various processes (printing, circulation, storage) corresponding to the image data.
JP-A-8-171473

  However, when a large number of image data is stored in the memory, a large number of index images are displayed on the display. Therefore, in order to find a desired index image from among them, it is necessary to change the name of the image data in advance to a name that can be easily understood by the user or to create and classify a folder. The operation buttons provided in the image reading apparatus are often limited in size and type, and it is troublesome for the user to perform these operations only with the operation buttons of the image reading apparatus.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a user can select a desired index image from among index images displayed on a display unit corresponding to image data generated by reading a document. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that can be easily found and can reduce a user's operation burden for managing image data.

To this end, the image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein reads and converts the light from the document into an image signal, a reading means for generating image data, said corresponding one-to-one with the image data A display unit that displays an index image that virtually represents image data, a touch panel that inputs position information indicating a specified position on the display unit, and each time image data is newly generated by the reading unit In addition, the display position setting means for setting the display position of the index image corresponding to the image data according to the position information input from the touch panel , the memory for storing the image data, and the image data stored in the memory table in a size index image corresponding to the data size of image data corresponding to the index image that The position setting means, characterized in that it comprises an index image display means for displaying the set display position for each of the index images.

The image reading device according to claim 2 is the image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the index image display means displays the index image in a stored data display area provided in the display unit. When the image data is newly generated by the reading means, a file image representing the image data, the file image for which the position information of the index image is not fixed by the display position setting means , is displayed on the display unit. A file image display means, wherein the display position setting means designates a position in the stored data display area when the file image is displayed by the file image display means, and position information of the position from the touch panel. Is input, the specified position is newly generated. And setting a display position of the corresponding index image to image data.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image reading device according to the second aspect, after the position where the index image is displayed in the stored data display area is specified, the position outside the stored data display area is When specified, expansion means for calling up image data corresponding to an index image displayed at a specified position in the storage data display area and displaying an image formed based on the image data on the display unit It is characterized by providing.

  The image reading device according to claim 4 includes group information selection means for selecting any of group information for classifying the index image in the image reading device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the index image display means includes: Of the index images corresponding to the image data stored in the memory, only the index images classified into the group information selected by the group information selection means are displayed in the stored data display area.

  The image reading device according to claim 5 is the image reading device according to claim 4, wherein the file image representing the image data generated by the reading unit is displayed when the file image display unit displays the file image. Classification means for classifying the index image of the image data in which the file image is displayed into the same group information as the index image displayed in the saved data display area when a position in the data display area is designated It is characterized by providing.

The image reading device according to claim 6 is a display for storing color information for determining each display color of the index image displayed by the index image display means in the image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Color storage means, display color change means for changing the display color of the index image displayed at the position when the position where the index image is displayed in the stored data display area, and the display color change Display color updating means for reflecting the change of the display color by the means to the color information stored in the display color storage means.

According to the image reading apparatus of the first aspect, every time image data is newly generated by the reading unit, the display position of the index image corresponding to the image data is set according to the position information input from the touch panel. . An index image virtually representing the image data corresponding to the image data stored in the memory on a one- to -one basis is displayed at a display position set for each index image. Therefore, when a new image data is generated, the user can obtain an index image corresponding to the desired image data by using a sensual memory as to what operation is performed on the display unit for the image data. It can be easily found.
For example, if the image data with higher importance is set as the display position of the index image with the rule that the position on the left side is set as the display position of the index image, the display position of the index image is set for each image data. Index images are arranged in the order of the subjective importance of. Therefore, the user can quickly find the index image corresponding to the target image data based on the rules set by the user and the subjective impression of each document. In addition, since it is possible to easily find an index image without changing the name of the image data or performing classification based on a folder, there is an effect that a user's operation burden required for managing the image data is reduced.
Each index image is displayed in a size corresponding to the data size of the image data corresponding to the index image. Therefore, the user can easily find the index image corresponding to the desired image data by using the visual element of the size of the index image as a clue. In some cases, the format of the image data can be predicted from the data size of the image data. Therefore, in that case, the user can predict the format of the image data called by the index image from the size of each index image, and it is easier to find the index image corresponding to the desired image data. effective.

  According to the image reading apparatus of the second aspect, in addition to the effect achieved by the image reading apparatus of the first aspect, the user visually recognizes the index images displayed in the stored data display area and arranges the arrangement thereof. In consideration, there is an effect that an optimum position can be set as the display position of the index image of the image data newly generated by the reading unit. For example, when setting the display position of an index image of newly generated image data by reading a document, the user browses the saved data display area, searches for an index image of image data whose contents are similar, A neighborhood can be designated and set as a display position of an index image of newly generated image data. In this way, index images of image data that are similar in content are displayed near each other, and each index image can be arranged more easily.

  According to the image reading apparatus of the third aspect, in addition to the effect achieved by the image reading apparatus of the second aspect, the user designates the position where the index image is displayed in the stored data display area, and then stores the stored data. With an easy operation of designating a position outside the display area, there is an effect that image data corresponding to the index image displayed at the designated position can be called and an image formed based on the image data can be viewed. .

  According to the image reading apparatus of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the image reading apparatus of the second or third aspect, the user can preferentially browse the index image classified into the selected group information. Furthermore, the index image classified into each group information is displayed at the display position set when the image data is generated. Thus, the user can store the desired image data into which group information and the position in the stored data display area where the index image of the desired image data is displayed. There is an effect that the index image can be easily found.

  According to the image reading device of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect achieved by the image reading device according to the fourth aspect, the user can visually check the index image displayed for each group information while newly generating image data. It is possible to determine group information for classifying the index image. If group information to be classified is found, an index image of newly generated image data can be classified into the group information by performing an easy operation of specifying a position in the storage data display area. It is possible to classify the index images in an easy-to-understand manner while suppressing the work load.

According to the image reading device of the sixth aspect , in addition to the effect achieved by the image reading device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the user can perform a simple operation of designating a position where the index image is displayed. With this, the display color of the index image can be changed. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to easily find an index image corresponding to desired image data by using a visual element such as a display color of the index image as a clue.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of a multifunction machine 1 which is an embodiment of an image reading apparatus of the present invention. The multifunction device 1 includes a scanner 3 that converts light from an original document into an image signal, reads the image signal, and generates image data. The image data generated by the scanner 3 is stored in a memory. Then, the index image 44 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the image data stored in the memory is stored in the liquid crystal display device 31 so that the user can individually call any image data stored in the memory. Display on (LCD) 31.

  In particular, the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the user can easily find a desired index image and can reduce the user's operation burden required for managing image data.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 24. Computer, bus 25, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 26, printer 2, scanner 3, panel gate array (panel GA) 27, LCD controller 28, touch panel 29, operation keys 30, and LCD 31 A slot 32, a USB terminal 33, an amplifier 34, a speaker 35, an NCU 36, and a modem. Mainly and a 7.

The CPU 21 is a central processing process that comprehensively controls the multifunction machine 1 and executes various programs such as a program that executes the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6. The ROM 22 stores a program for controlling various operations of the multifunction machine 1. The RAM 23 is used as a storage area or work area for temporarily recording various data used when the CPU 21 executes the program.
The EEPROM 24 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and is provided with a file storage memory 24a and a virtual area management memory 24b. In the file storage memory 24a, image data generated by the scanner 3 is stored. The virtual area management memory 24b will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The ASIC 26 performs operation control of each unit connected to the ASIC in accordance with a command from the CPU 21. Since the printer 2, the scanner 3, and the slot portion 32 have a known configuration, detailed description thereof is omitted. The panel GA 27 is connected to the ASIC 26 and the operation key 30, detects the pressing of the operation key 30, and outputs a code signal assigned to each operation key 30. When the CPU 21 receives a predetermined code signal from the panel GA 27, the CPU 21 performs a control process to be executed according to a predetermined key processing table.

  The LCD controller 28 is connected to the ASIC 26 and the LCD 31. Then, the LCD controller 28 causes the LCD 31 to display information related to the operation of the printer 2 or the scanner 3 or an index image 44 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the image data based on a command from the CPU 21.

  The touch panel 29 is connected to the ASIC 26 and arranged in parallel in the display area of the LCD 31. When the user designates the display area of the LCD 31 with a finger or the like, the touch panel 29 detects the designated position and inputs position information representing the position.

  Connected to the ASIC 26 are a USB terminal 33 and an amplifier 34 for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device such as a computer or a digital camera via a USB cable. The amplifier 34 is used to ring a speaker 35 connected to the amplifier 34 and output a ringing tone, a rejection tone, a message, and the like. Further, the ASIC 26 is connected with an NCU (Network Control Unit) 36 and a modem 37 for realizing a facsimile function. Note that a network interface (not shown) for transmitting and receiving data to and from a computer on the network may be further connected to the ASIC 26.

  The multi-function device 1 configured as described above is configured such that the user can select any one of the scan mode, the copy mode, and the facsimile mode, and performs an operation according to the selected mode.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the display area 40 of the LCD 31 when the scan mode is selected. When the scan mode is selected, the CPU 21 issues a command to the LCD controller 28 to display the index image 44 in the virtual area 42 provided in the display area 40 of the LCD 31. Note that, in order to make the drawing easy to see, only a part of the index images 44 are denoted by reference numerals in FIG. In FIG. 2, each index image 44 is schematically illustrated as a rectangle. For example, the index image 44 may be a reduced image formed based on each image data. Information that allows the user to guess the contents of the image data such as the image data generation date may be described in the index image 44.

  The index image 44 has a one-to-one correspondence with the image data generated by the scanner 3 and stored in the memory. That is, the virtual area 42 virtually represents each piece of image data stored in the memory by the index image 44 and shows it to the user. Although details will be described later with reference to FIG. 6, when the user designates the index image 44 in the virtual area 42 and performs a predetermined operation, the multifunction device 1 calls image data corresponding to the index image 44, The preview image is configured to be displayed in the display area 40.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, a page number 45 representing a currently displayed page (an example of group information) and a page feed icon 46 are displayed in the virtual area 42. The index image 44 displayed in the virtual area 42 is classified in advance for each page, and the index image 44 is displayed for each page in the virtual area 42. Therefore, even when all the index images 44 cannot be displayed in the virtual area 42 at once, the user can browse all the index images 44 by switching and displaying them in units of pages.
When the index image 44 is first displayed after switching to the scan mode, the multi-function device 1 displays the index image 44 classified on the first page in the virtual area 42. Each time the page feed icon 46 is designated once by the user, the next page is selected, and the index image 44 classified into the selected page is displayed in the virtual area 42.
Therefore, the user selects the page on which the index image 44 corresponding to the desired image data is likely to exist by repeating the operation of designating the page feed icon 46 while visually recognizing the page number 45, and selects the selected page. The index images 44 classified into pages can be preferentially browsed.

  Furthermore, the multi-function device 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that the user can arbitrarily set the display position of the index image 44 so that the user can easily find the desired index image 44 from the virtual area 42. Has been.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the LCD 31 when new image data is newly generated by the scanner 3. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, when new image data is generated by the scanner 3, the multifunction device 1 displays a file image 47 representing the new image data outside the virtual area 42.

  When the position in the virtual area 42 is designated by the user while the file image 47 is displayed and position information on the position is input from the touch panel 29, the multifunction device 1 changes the position to a new position. The display position of the index image 44 corresponding to the generated image data is set. The index image 44 is classified into pages displayed in the virtual area 42 when the virtual area 42 is designated by the user. After the setting of the index image 44, the multi-function device 1 displays the index image 44 corresponding to the newly generated image data at the set display position in the classified page.

  In this way, when new image data is generated, the user can obtain desired image data by using a sensual memory as to what setting operation has been performed on the display area 40 for the image data. It is possible to easily find the index image 44 corresponding to. For example, if the display position of the index image 44 is set for each image data in accordance with the rule that the position of the left side of the image data with higher importance is set, the subjective area of the user is displayed on the virtual area 42. The index images 44 are arranged in order of importance. Therefore, the user can quickly find the index image 44 corresponding to the target image data based on the rules determined by the user and the subjective impression of each document. In addition, since the index image 44 can be easily found from the virtual area 42 without changing the name of the image data or sorting by the folder, the burden on the user for managing the image data is reduced.

  Further, the user can set the display position of the index image 44 of the image data newly generated by the scanner 3 while visually checking the index image 44 displayed in the virtual area 42 and considering the arrangement thereof. Therefore, it is possible to set an optimal position that matches the content of the image data. For example, the user can visually recognize the virtual area 42, find the index image 44 of the image data whose contents are approximate, specify the vicinity thereof, and set it as the display position of the index image 44 of the newly generated image data. it can. In this way, the index images 44 of the image data that are approximate in content are displayed in the vicinity of each other, and the index images 44 can be arranged more easily.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the file image 47 may be a reduced image formed by image data, for example. In this way, the user compares the content of the newly generated image data with the arrangement of the index image 44 already displayed in the virtual area 42 on the same screen, and the newly generated image data This can be used as a reference when setting the display position of the index image 44.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the CPU 21 sets each index image 44 to a size corresponding to the data size of the image data called by the index image 44, and each index image. 44 is displayed in a predetermined display color. In FIG. 2, the difference in display color of each index image 44 is expressed by changing the type of shading.
Therefore, the user can easily find the index image 44 corresponding to the desired image data by using the visual elements such as the size and display color of each index image 44 as a clue. In some cases, the format of the image data can be predicted from the data size of the image data. Therefore, in this case, the user can predict the format of the image data called by the index image 44 from the size of each index image 44, and can easily find the index image 44 corresponding to the desired image data. .

  In the present embodiment, the image data generated by the scanner 3 is described as being stored in the file storage memory 24a provided in the EEPROM 24a. In other words, the virtual area 42 will be described as representing the state in the file storage memory 24a. However, the multi-function device 1 may be configured such that the user can select whether to store the image data in the file storage memory 24a or in a memory card or the like attached to the slot 32 or the like. In that case, an index image 44 representing the state in one of the memories selected by the user may be displayed in the virtual area 42.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the virtual area management memory 24b. The virtual area management memory 24b is a memory that stores index information 24b1 for displaying the index image 44. By registering the index information 24b1 in the virtual area management memory 24b, the display position of the index image 44 can be set.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the index information 24b1 includes “image data storage location information” that represents an address for calling image data from the memory, “index image position information” that represents the display position of the index image, and index information. This is information including “color information” that defines the display color of the image, “size information” that represents the data size of the image data, and “file format” that represents the file format of the image data.

  In the multifunction device 1, when image data is newly generated by the scanner 3 and the file image 47 is displayed, the position in the virtual area 42 is designated by the user, and the position information of the position is input from the touch panel 42. Then, the input position information is referred to as “index image position information”, and “image data storage location information”, “size information” indicating the address, data size, and file format of the newly generated image data. ”,“ File format ”and the like, index information 24b1 is created and registered in the virtual area management memory 24b.

  Therefore, when the MFP 1 displays the index image 44 corresponding to the image data stored in the memory in the virtual area 42, each of the index images 44 is stored in the user in accordance with the information stored in the storage area management memory 24b. Can be displayed at the display position set by.

  Further, when any of the index images 44 displayed in the virtual area 42 is designated by the user and the position information of the position is input from the touch panel 29, the image data associated with the position information is changed to “image data”. Can be called according to the "storage location information".

  Furthermore, since the index information 24b1 includes “color information” that defines the display color of the index image 44 and “size information” that represents the data size of the image data, the CPU 21 determines each index image 44 according to the index information 24b1. In addition to displaying in the display color defined in “color information”, the display is displayed in a size corresponding to the data size of the image data.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the index information 24b1 is registered for each page. Therefore, the multifunction device 1 can display only the index image 44 classified into the selected page among the index images 44 corresponding to the image data stored in the memory in the virtual area 42.

  As described above, the user can select either the internal memory such as the EEPROM 24 or the external memory mounted in the slot unit 32 or the like as a storage destination of the image data generated by the scanner 3. In this case, the virtual area management memory 24b is provided for the internal memory and for the external memory.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the reading process (S400) executed by the CPU 21 of the multifunction machine 1. This reading process (S400) is executed when an original is placed at a predetermined position of the multi-function device 1 and a reading instruction for the original is input while the scan mode is selected. Since the scan mode is being selected, an index image is displayed in the virtual area 42 in the display area 40 of the LCD 31 (see FIG. 2A). Further, the user can select whether the image data generated by the scanner 3 is stored in the internal memory (file storage memory 24a) or in the external memory (memory card mounted in the slot unit 32). When configured, the user selects one of them in advance before the start of this process.

  First, the scanner 3 is driven to read a document to generate image data (S402), and the generated image data is stored in a memory (S403). Next, a file image 47 representing the image data newly generated by the scanner 3 is displayed outside the virtual area 42 (S404) (see FIG. 2B).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the display area 40 of the LCD 31 is designated by the user and the position information of the position is input from the touch panel 29 (S406). If the determination in S406 is negative (S406: No), the process waits. If the determination in S406 is affirmative (S406: Yes), is the file image 47 displayed next to the virtual area 42? It is determined whether or not (S407). Initially, the determination in S407 is affirmed (S407: Yes). Next, it is determined whether or not the file image 47 has been moved (S408).

  Specifically, it is determined whether a blank portion in the virtual area 42 is designated and position information of the designated position is input from the touch panel 29. If the determination in S408 is affirmative (S408: Yes), a file image movement process (S409) is executed, and the process returns to S406. The file image moving process (S409) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, if the determination in S407 is negative (S407: No), or if the determination in S408 is negative (S408: No), it is next determined whether or not an operation for changing the page has been performed (S410). . Specifically, it is determined whether or not the page feed icon 46 is designated by the user. If the determination in S410 is affirmative (S410: Yes), the next page of the currently displayed page is selected, and only the index image 44 classified into the selected page is displayed in the virtual area 42 (S411). On the other hand, if the determination in S410 is negative (S410: No), the process of S411 is skipped.

  Next, it is determined whether or not an operation for changing the display color of the image has been performed (S412). Specifically, the display position of the index image 44 or the display position of the file image 47 is designated by the user, and it is determined whether or not position information on the position is input from the touch panel 29. If the determination in S412 is negative (S412: No), the other process (S414) is executed, and the process returns to S406.

  On the other hand, if the determination in S412 is affirmative (S412: Yes), the current display color of the index image 44 or file image 47 displayed at the designated position is determined (S416). If the current display color is white (S416: white), the display color of the image displayed at the designated position is changed to yellow (S418). If the current display color is yellow (S416: yellow), the display color of the image displayed at the designated position is changed to red (S420). If the current display color is red (S416: red), the display color of the image displayed at the designated position is changed to white (S422). Therefore, the user can change the display color by a simple operation of designating the position where the index image 44 or the file image 47 is displayed.

  Next, it is determined whether the display color has been changed for the index image 44 (S424). If the determination in S424 is negative (S424: No), the process returns to S406. On the other hand, if the determination in S424 is affirmative (S424: Yes), the display color change is reflected in the color information stored in the virtual area management memory 24b (S426), and the process returns to S406. Thereafter, the index image 44 is displayed in the display color selected by the user. Therefore, the user can classify the index images 44 by visual elements such as display colors, and can easily find a desired index image 44 later by relying on sensory memory.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the file image movement process (S409) executed by the CPU 21 of the multifunction machine 1. In this file image movement process (S409), when the file image 47 is displayed, a blank portion in the virtual area 42 (that is, a portion where the index image 44, the page number 45, and the page feed icon 46 are not displayed). ) Is executed when specified.

  First, the index information 24b1 (see FIG. 3) including the position information input from the touch panel 29, that is, the position information indicating the position designated in the virtual area 42, as “index image position information” is created (S502). ). The details of the procedure for creating the index information 24b1 have been described with reference to FIG. In addition, the index information 24b1 created in the process of S502 includes “color information” as a default value.

  Next, the created index information 24b1 is classified into the page being displayed and registered in the virtual area management memory 504 (S504). Thereby, the display position of the index image 44 corresponding to the newly generated image data can be set according to the position information input from the touch panel 29, and the index image 44 is displayed as the currently displayed index image 44. And can be classified on the same page.

  Next, the data size of the image data is determined (S506). When the data size is less than 1 MB (S506: less than 1 MB), the index image 44 is set to a small size (S508). When the data size is 1 MB or more and less than 10 MB (S506: 1 MB or more and less than 10 MB), the size of the index image 44 is set to medium (S510). When the data size is 10 MB or more (S506: 10 MB or more), the size of the index image 44 is set to be large (S512). For example, in the case of JPEG format image data, the data size is often less than 1 MB, and in the case of bitmap format image data, the data size often exceeds 10 MB. Therefore, by setting the size of the index image 44 on the basis of a value of about 1 MB or 10 MB, each user can predict the format of the image data from the size of the index image 44 to some extent. The size of the index image 44 can be set.

  Then, the index image 44 having the set size is displayed at the set display position (S514), the file image 47 is deleted (S516), the file image moving process (S409) is ended, and the reading process ( The process returns to S406 in FIG.

  According to the reading process shown in FIG. 4 and the file image moving process shown in FIG. 5, the user classifies the index image of the newly generated image data while browsing the index image 44 for each page in the virtual area 42. You can decide which page to do. Then, if a page to be classified is found, the index of the newly generated image data can be obtained by performing an operation of designating an arbitrary blank area in a state where the index image of the page is displayed in the virtual area 42. Since the images 44 are classified into the pages and the display position of the index image 44 can be set, the operation is easy.

  Since the index image 44 classified into each page is displayed at the display position set by the user, the user can identify which page the desired image data is classified into and the index image 44 of the desired image data. The index image 44 for calling up the desired image data can be easily found by relying on the memory of where in the virtual area 42 the image is displayed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the file reference process (S600) executed by the CPU 21 of the multifunction machine 1. This file reference process is periodically executed while the scan mode is selected.

  First, it is determined whether or not the display area 40 of the LCD 31 is designated and position information of the designated position is input from the touch panel 29 (S602). If the determination in S602 is negative (S602: No), the process waits. On the other hand, if the determination in S602 is affirmative (S602: Yes), it is next determined whether or not the display position of the index image 44 in the virtual area 42 has been designated (S604). If the determination in S604 is negative (S604: No), other processing is executed (S606), and the processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the determination in S604 is affirmative (S604: Yes), it is then determined whether or not a position outside the virtual area 42 has been designated (S608). If the determination in S608 is negative (S608: No), other processing such as changing the display position of the index image 44 (S610) is performed. For example, when the display position of the index image 44 in the virtual area 42 is designated first and then the display position of another index image 44 is designated, the display positions of those index images 44 are switched, and the virtual image 42 A process of reflecting the change in the area management memory 24b is performed.

  On the other hand, if the determination in S608 is affirmative (S608: Yes), the storage location information of the image data corresponding to the index image 44 is acquired from the virtual area management memory 24b (see FIG. 3) (S612). Then, image data is called from the position indicated by the location information, and an image (preview image) formed based on the image data is displayed in the display area 40 of the LCD 43 (S614). The preview image may be displayed as large as possible, for example, by placing it in front of the virtual area 42.

  According to the file reference process (S600), after the user designates the position in the virtual area 42, the index image displayed at the previously designated position by an easy operation of designating the position outside the virtual area 42. Image data can be called from 44 and a preview image formed based on the image data can be viewed.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can be inferred.

  For example, in the above embodiment, when the user specifies a blank portion of the virtual area 42 in the state where the file image 47 representing the newly generated image data is displayed, the position is displayed on the index image 44. The position was set. However, for example, when the index image 44 is already displayed at the position designated by the user, the index image 44 corresponding to the newly generated image data is inserted into the designated position and displayed from the beginning. The display position of the index image may be shifted downward or to the right.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the document is composed of a plurality of sheets is not mentioned. However, for example, when a document composed of a plurality of sheets is read using ADF, the document 1 is generated by reading the document. One index image 44 may be displayed in the virtual area 42 for the image data, but the index image 44 may be displayed for each page and the display position thereof may be set individually.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the display position of the index image 44 in the virtual area 42 is designated and then the position outside the virtual area 42 is designated, the preview of the image data corresponding to the index image 44 designated previously is displayed. Instead of displaying the image, instead of this, for example, deleting the image data corresponding to the previously specified index image 44 from the memory or printing it out by the printer 2 is performed. It is also good.

  In the above embodiment, the index image 44 is displayed for the image data generated by the scanner 3. However, the index image 44 is also displayed for data other than the image data generated by the scanner 3. You may comprise.

  Further, the shape, size, color, pattern, etc. of the index image 44 may be different for each file format of the image data. In this way, the user can find a desired index image 44 using the file format as a clue.

  Further, the designation of the position on the display area 40 in the LCD 31 may be performed by dragging. In this case, the start position and the end position of the locus designated by the user on the display area 40 are positions designated by the user.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of a multifunction machine that is an embodiment of an image reading apparatus of the present invention. FIG. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display area of LCD during scan mode selection, (b) is a figure in LCD when new image data is newly produced | generated by the scanner. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of a virtual area management memory. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a reading process executed by the CPU of the multifunction machine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating file image movement processing executed by the CPU of the multifunction machine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating file reference processing executed by the CPU of the multifunction machine.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (an example of an image reader)
3 Scanner (an example of reading means)
21 CPU (an example of index image display means)
24b Virtual area management memory (an example of group information storage means, an example of display color storage means)
29 Touch Panel 40 LCD Display Area (Example of Display Unit)
42 Virtual area (an example of stored data display area)
44 Index image 47 File image S403 Example of storage unit S405 Example of file image display unit S411 Example of group information selection unit, Example of index image display unit S418, S420, S422 Example of display color change unit S426 Example of display color update unit S504 Example of classification means S614 Example of expansion means

Claims (6)

Reading means for converting light from an original into an image signal and reading it to generate image data;
A display unit for displaying an index image virtually representing the image data corresponding to the image data on a one-to-one basis ;
A touch panel for inputting position information representing a specified position on the display unit;
Display position setting means for setting a display position of an index image corresponding to the image data in accordance with position information input from the touch panel each time image data is newly generated by the reading means;
A memory for storing the image data;
The index image corresponding to the image data stored in the memory is displayed at the display position set for each of the index images by the display position setting means in a size corresponding to the data size of the image data corresponding to the index image. An image reading apparatus comprising: an index image display means for performing the operation. The index image display means displays the index image in a stored data display area provided in the display unit,
When image data is newly generated by the reading unit, a file image representing the image data, which is not determined by the display position setting unit , is displayed on the display unit. File image display means to
The display position setting means includes
When a file image is displayed by the file image display means, a position in the storage data display area is specified, and when position information of the position is input from the touch panel, the specified position is The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is set as a display position of an index image corresponding to newly generated image data.   After the position where the index image is displayed in the storage data display area is specified, if a position outside the storage data display area is specified, the index image is displayed at the specified position in the storage data display area. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a developing unit that calls image data corresponding to the index image and displays an image formed based on the image data on the display unit. Group information selection means for selecting any of group information for classifying the index image,
The index image display means displays only the index image classified into the group information selected by the group information selection means among the index images corresponding to the image data saved in the memory in the saved data display area. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image reading apparatus is an image reading apparatus.   When the file image representing the image data generated by the reading unit is displayed by the file image display unit, the file image is displayed when a position in the storage data display area is designated. 5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a classifying unit that classifies the index image of the image data into the same group information as the index image displayed in the storage data display area. Display color storage means for storing color information for determining each display color of the index image displayed by the index image display means;
When the position where the index image is displayed in the saved data display area is designated, display color changing means for changing the display color of the index image displayed at the position;
Image according to the change of the display color by the display color changing means, any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a display color updating means to reflect the color information stored in the display color storage means Reader.

Images